Roà Marenca between chapels, inscriptions and old roads
Accommodation in Roà Marenca
Historical traces in Roà Marenca
Roà Marenca combines a small local history with remarkable sacred and Roman evidence. The Cappella di San Giorgio in Roà Marenca contains a 16th-century fresco. The Sant’Ambrogio hermitage in Roà Marenca is mentioned in a document issued by Henry III in 1041.
The Cappella di San Rocco also preserves traces from various periods. The Roman funerary inscription C.I.L. V, II, 7803 was found in the Sant’Ambrogio hermitage and later set into the floor of the Cappella di San Rocco in Roà Marenca. Another Roman inscription from the beginning of the 3rd century AD, found in Roà Marenca, was placed on the northeastern wall of the Cappella di San Rocco in 1958.
The inscription C.I.L. V, II, 7803 refers to the Publilia tribe and contains the ethnic designation Montanus. Two Roman stone slabs built into the Cappella di San Rocco in Roà Marenca are regarded as evidence of a Roman settlement along the road to the sea. The Cappella di San Rocco is attributed to the 14th century.
The surviving Cappella di Sant’Ambrogio stands on the site of the former hermitage building and preserves a 15th-century fresco on its façade. Roà Marenca is considered the first and oldest settlement nucleus of Montaldo di Mondovì. Visitors interested in historic townscapes, religious buildings and archaeological traces therefore encounter several distinct themes directly reflected in the character of the place.
Paths, circular routes and old transport routes
A walk through the lanes of Roà Marenca’s old town centre reveals the stone arches of the former Jewish ghetto. The Bosconero Ring reaches Roà Marenca from Torre Mondovì via the provincial road SP 35.
The municipal area of Montaldo di Mondovì is home to the Via di Culto, a simple circular route that takes around two hours. The Via di Culto leads to the most important chapels in the surrounding area. As a type of path, a circular route is designed to return to its starting point. The Roà Marenca route runs entirely along the regional trail network.
The Roa Marenca project focuses on the municipal area of Montaldo di Mondovì. Historically, the roads of the Roa Marenca were used to transport salt, which was needed to preserve food. The Roa Marenca route connects the regions of Piedmont and Liguria and is over 150 km long. The route is considered suitable for e-bike rides, hikes, horseback riding and dog trekking with dogs. The route description therefore is not aimed at just one mode of transport, but lists several ways to experience the route.
Vineyards above the village
Above the village of Roà Marenca are vineyards with the rare “Cardin” grape variety. This aspect of the landscape adds a distinct local theme to the historic chapels, inscriptions and old transport routes. Those who choose Roà Marenca as a travel destination will thus find cultural history, trails and winegrowing presented as separate, clearly recognisable facets.
Further destinations in the shared regional context: Villanova Mondovì, San Damiano Macra, Stroppo, Roccaforte Mondovì, Entracque, Pianfei, Beinette and Crissolo.
For the overarching travel overview: Cuneo.
